Desarrollo de un alimento complementario con harina de algarrobo (Prosopis pallida) fortificado con hierro

Nutritional anemia is one of the most prevalent problems in children of six months to two years old. The aim of this study was to determine the acceptance of complementary nourishment incorporating carob flour fortified with iron. The study had two phases: on the first, a proximate complete analysis, sugar profile and microbiological analysis to carob flour was made. A randomized complete block design (RCB) was used with three replication and eighth treatments including two percentages of carob flour (20, 40), two iron sources (sulfate and ferrous fumarate) and two fortification doses (45 and 60 mg). An analysis of variance was made, with an Lsmeans (P<0.05) media separation and a sensory analysis with 60 Honduran mothers (three replications). In the second also made phase (characterization of complementary nourishment) a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replicates was used a complete proximate analysis, physical analysis evaluating viscosity and color, a microbiological analysis, iron content by atomic absorption and sensory analysis were made with the two best treatments resulting from Phase I. The treatment with 20% of carob flour fortified with 45 mg of ferrous fumarate had the highest acceptance in the sensory analysis. This treatment contributed with 6.16 kcal/g energy density and 1.4 mg/ 100 kcal of iron with a cost of L. 2.49, and 0.11 cents per serving. An analysis of micronutrients and iron inhibitors absorption.